The Bauchi state government has expressed commitment to ending Tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2030 in line with the federal government’s recommendation of ensuring a TB-free Nigeria in the stipulated time.
The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro, expressed the commitment Monday during the opening ceremony of the 2021 world TB Day commemoration with the slogan ‘Check am o!’ organised by the Bauchi state Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) in partnership with USAID breakthrough ActionNigeria held at TB treatment centre in Bayara General Hospital, Bauchi.
He said over 400, 000 people in the country have TB at present, adding that there were many undetected infections during COVID- 19 pandemic in the nation as those with symptoms avoided tests for the fear of being diagnosed with coronavirus.
He advised anyone who coughs for two weeks or has signs of the disease to rush to hospital for tests, adding that both the examination and treatment are free of charge.
Also speaking, the first lady of Bauchi state, Aisha Bala Mohammed, who is the tuberculosis champion in Bauchi state said the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, has bestowed a role to wives of governors last year to champion campaign for the eradication of the disease in their respective states.
She said their nomination as TB champions was necessary due to the devastating impact of the disease and the renewed efforts to give it a final push.
